Lightning-rod connector.



W. F. RUSSELL.

LIGHTNING ROD CONNECTOR. APPLICATION FILED Luca. 191s.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

H ZZSSGZZ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. RUSSELL, 0F BOURBON, INDIANA.

LIGHTNING-ROD CONNECTOR.

Application filed August 3, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. RUSSELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bourbon, in the county of Marshall and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lightning-Rod Connectors; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in lightning rod construction, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient means for connecting that portion of the structure which carries the point, with the horizontal cable conductor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple and durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and one which will be very eificient in operation.

With these and numerous other objects in view, my invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be herein referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claim.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the blank from which the connector is formed;

Fig. 2 shows the first position illustrating the shank portion of the blank bent to receive the end of the lightning rod, with its end flattened;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showlng the flattened end of the rod receiving portion bent to receive the conductor;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the completed device;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing the connector with the cable attached thereto;

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 77 of Fig. 6, showing the lightning rod in elevation; and

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

In describing my invention I shall refer to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

Serial No. 112,973.

the numeral 1 represents a. substantially T- shaped metal plate from which the device is formed, and which is preferably composed of copper. The shank portion of this plate is slit from its opposite edges adjacent the head as shown at 2 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described.

The lightning rod 3 which is formed by curving the shank portion of the plate and providing the same with a point at its up per end, is disposed at an angle to the conducting cable 4 as is common in devices of this character. The lower end of the rod is flattened as shown at 6, and curved to form a sleeve 7 adapted to be positioned around the conducting cable l. This flattening of the inner end of the shank portion of the base will cause the inner end of the sleeve portion to be flattened, and the extremity of the rod 3 may be correspondingly shaped so as to securely engage the same.

When in this position the sleeve 7 will connect the conducting cable 4 with the lightning rod, and to additionally secure these parts in position. the headed portion of the plate which is designated by the numeral 8. owing to the fact that the same is provided with the transversely extending slits 2 in the shank beneath the same, may have its side portions 9 wrapped around the adjacent portion of the sleeve, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing. The outer ends 10 of the sides of this head are formed with oppositely bent flanges thereon bent back upon themselves, and so positioned that they are adapted to interlock when the head surrounds the rod. This will securely hold the head in position and will form an additional lock between the conductor and rod.

From the foregoing description of the construction and operation of this connection, it will be seen that I have provided a simple and eflicient device of this character for carrying out the objects of the invention. The copper plate from which this device is preferably formed is readily bendable, and it is a comparatively simple matter to connect the same with the conductor. The headed portion of this plate forms a simple and eflicient locking means which will absolutely and securely hold the parts in position. Attention is called to the fact that the headed portion 8 of the plate is an integral part thereof as illustrated in the drawings,

but this head need not necessarily be so attached, as the same may be Welded or riveted to the shank portion of the strip.

I claim:

A device of the class described formed from a single strip of metal having a substantially rectangular-shaped fiat T head With transversely extending alining kerfs beneath the head projecting inwardly from opposite sides of the strip, said strip being bent to form a rod with its end adjacent the head being tapered, the extremity of said tapered end of the rod being flattened and curved to form a sleeve disposed at right angles to the said rod, the head in said strip having its opposite ends curved around the tapering portion of the rod and overlapping, and the extremities of said ends being bent back upon themselves and adapted to interlock.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM F. RUSSELL. Witnesses N ILAS VVOLF, GEORGE MORTIMORE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents, Washington, D. G. 

